Photograph of scene of Jesus' birth at Westminster Abbey, representing Advent and Christmas At home family activities

Advent and Christmas

Christmas is one of the most special festivals in the Christian calendar. Make yourself comfortable as you explore the story of Jesus' birth and create Christmas crafts to bring festive cheer to your home. Enjoy weekly over advent or indulge in one sitting and take a moment to think about what the Christmas story means to you.

Close-up photograph of a finger opening a door on an advent calendar

What is Advent?

You may have heard the word Advent when people talk about Advent calendars - but what exactly is Advent?

play button Play video
Photograph of completed Abbey Advent Calendar craft activity

Abbey Advent calendar

Get prepared for Advent and make a Westminster Abbey calendar to count down to Christmas Day.

play button Play video
Photograph of child pointing at an ornament on a Christmas tree, representing Christmas celebrations

Celebrations

Discover how the Abbey prepares for Christmas and bring some festive cheer into your home with a hanging decoration.

play button Play video
Photograph of child's star craft on a Christmas tree, representing Christmas trees

Christmas tree

Think about the heart of the Abbey's story and cherish your loved ones as you create a collective Christmas tree collage.

play button Play video
Photograph of candles being lit within Westminster Abbey, representing candles at Christmas

Christmas candle

Discover the stories of those who have made the Abbey their home before lighting up your space with a Christmas candle craft.

play button Play video
Illustration of family of five pointing in different directions
Photograph of Mary within the nativity scene at Westminster Abbey, representing the news of Jesus' conception

The News

Hear a story, a reflection and sing along in our first Christmas film series where Mary gets a message from an angel.

play button Play video
Photograph of donkey from the nativity scene at Westminster Abbey, representing the journey in the Bible

The Journey

In the second part of the story, Mary and Joseph get ready for the birth of their baby and the long journey ahead.

play button Play video
Photograph of baby Jesus Christ in the nativity scene at Westminster Abbey, representing the baby in the Bible

The Baby

This third film explores reaching Bethlehem and the baby, Jesus, being born.

play button Play video
Photograph of a shepherd in the nativity scene at Westminster Abbey, representing the shepherds in the Bible

The Shepherds

In the fourth film of our Christmas series, the good news spreads far and wide.

play button Play video
Photograph of nativity scene at Westminster Abbey, representing the Dean's Christmas reflection

A Christmas reflection

In this fifth film, the Dean reflects on what Christmas means and places the baby Jesus in the crib at the Abbey.

play button Play video
Photograph of two of three kings in the nativity scene in St Margaret's Church, Westminster Abbey, representing Epiphany

The Gifts

In this final part of the story, the good news and a star have called three kings to the stable with gifts for the newborn king.

play button Play video

Visiting the Abbey

Westminster Abbey is a brilliant place for families to visit. There are animals to spot and stories to discover as you walk round. With over 3,000 people buried and remembered in the Abbey, there really is something for everyone to get excited about.

We run family activities on a variety of themes on Saturdays throughout the year and during local school holidays too. Explore the Abbey and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Galleries with help from our exciting family trails.

Back to top